Is Sport Playing by the Rules? Victoria Law Foundation presents The Law and You Forum

Sport is an integral part of Melbourne’s psyche, but we don’t often question the way sport governs itself.

The Law and You Forum, presented by the Victoria Law Foundation (VLF), brings together a panel of eminent experts in law, academia and sport to explore the tensions between sporting codes of behaviour and legal and community standards.

VLF Executive Director Lynne Haultain said the free public forum on Wednesday 24 October 2018 was sure to generate passionate debate about whether sport ‘played by the rules’, and if it’s time it lined up better with broader social expectations on a wide range of issues.

‘Sport has its own codes of behaviour and its own judicial processes which at times can seem at odds with the general community. Issues like assault, harassment and bullying, drugs and discrimination can be managed differently on the field and off,’ Ms Haultain said.

‘For example – cricketers can be lauded for sledging, but that might constitute bullying in other workplaces. Or in many instances, a broken jaw would result in an assault charge – but not always on the footy field.’

‘Some sports play by their own rules, but is the pressure mounting for greater alignment between behaviours and cultures in sport and what’s acceptable elsewhere?’

Tickets to this free community event are still available, but bookings are required. See below for details.

The forum will be live-streamed and a video recording of the event will also be available on the VLF website.

About the panellists

Assoc Prof Kate Seear – Springvale Monash Legal Service, Monash University and The Outer Sanctum podcast

Prof Russell Hoye – Pro Vice-Chancellor La Trobe University; Director, La Trobe Sport

Dr Bridie O'Donnell – Head, Office for Women in Sport and Recreation; physician and champion cyclist

Rob Stary – Defence lawyer; Business and Adjunct Professor in Law, Victoria University

The forum will be facilitated by VLF Executive Director Lynne Haultain. Images of the panellists and Ms Haultain can be found here.

Media are invited to attend.

Event details

When: Wednesday, 24 October 2018, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Doors open 5:30 pm.

Where: Deakin Edge at Federation Square, Cnr Flinders Street and Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Tickets: This is a free event, but attendees must register. Please reserve a seat here.

Media inquiries:

Mick Paskos

T: 0412 201 044

E: mpaskos@onmessage.com.au